Reducing Stigma toward Mental Illness in Christian Religious Communities

Yvette Valenzuela, Undergraduate, Psychology

Savannah Strickland, Undergraduate, Psychology

William Whitney, Ph.D., Psychology

This presentation will describe how resources from within the Christian spiritual tradition, regarding the work of the Spirit and the practice of hospitality, make a significant contribution to decreasing suffering and stigma for those with mental illness within Christian religious communities. Abstract: According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 5 adults suffer from some form of mental illness. Given that this prevalence of mental illness diagnosis is also found within churches, there is a need to more sufficiently address mental illness within Christian religious communities. This presentation will describe how resources from within the Christian spiritual tradition, regarding the work of the Spirit and the practice of hospitality, make a significant contribution to decreasing suffering and stigma for those with mental illness within Christian religious communities.